So I'm in the process of setting reservations and such for a Great Allegheny Passage ride from near Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD for early July. Our plan is meet in Cumberland with our equipment and park our cars (we're coming from different areas of the country, but I'm from Pittsburgh).

Then the plan is to shuttle us and our bikes to wherever we decide to start our ride (I'm thinking Boston, PA, but may still consider McKeesport), going West to East. We're credit card touring, so our packs are going to be pretty light (two nights on the Trail - B&Bs in Connellsville and Rockwood). We arrive back at Cumberland and our vehicles and head home.

I'm looking for any personal experience that members may have had in the last year or two. Best service, best price? Any bad experiences? Did they treat your bike well?

Thanks!

I had a great experience last fall with Cumberland Trail Connection. I can't recommend them highly enough. We rented bikes from them in Cumberland and I left them my car keys. Three days later they drove my car and their van to McKeesport, picked up their bikes, and gave me my car. It worked out perfectly.

Originally I wanted them to bring us back to Cumberland, rather than drive my car, but they didn't have a taxi license so they could only legally transport the bikes. I think they were working on getting a taxi license, though, so check with them what their capabilities are.

These guys were really great. We had reserved hybrids because their tourers were booked for that weekend. When we got there, I asked if they had any tourers, and since they had a few new ones (really nice Cannondale T-2s), they spent two hours swapping the gear over to the new bikes, making adjustments, even swapping the stem on one so it would fit better. Also, I'd originally scheduled a pickup on the 4th day of our trip, thinking we'd be able to go all the way into Pittsburgh. When I learned what a bad idea that was, the owner rescheduled his day off so he could pick up the bikes a day earlier. And when he got there, he offered to refund the money we'd paid for the 4th day! (Naturally I declined his offer.)

Anyway, give them a call, I'm sure they'll be able to help.

I'll check them out. If they can shuttle passengers, then they're in the running.

Has anyone used Freedom Trail Riders in Cumberland? Looks like they can shuttle bikes and people. https://www.freedomtrailriders.com/

We used them out of DC. My opinion is mixed. They will get you there and are reliable. But the equipment shown on the website is not what will transport you. We where transported in a dirty pickup truck and an old car that almost did not start in DC.

Wow - I have hopes that the ride would be intereseting and even exciting, but that might be a little too interesting.